Tubers

They are underground stems, where reserve nutrients for the plant accumulate. Among the most popular tubers in Colombia are:

The potato:

It is a tuber of a plant, it is edible and round or elongated, very fleshy inside, it is brown on the outside and white or yellow on the inside.

In our Colombian kitchen, it used for the accompaniment of many dishes. It is a food that is used daily in the kitchen, it serves us for the preparation of some mashed potatoes, to prepare french fries, for the preparation of salads, to thicken some soups, to add to lentils, in and other things. The potato is undoubtedly the ingredient most used by us and of various uses. The most important benefits that an ingredient like potato gives us are:

• It helps our body to have proper functioning since it contains a large amount of magnesium, potassium, and iron.
• Iron is vital for the production of white blood cells and to strengthen our immune system.
• It contains vitamin B6, which helps us to protect our nervous system.
• It is essential for the production of red blood cells.
• It contains anti-inflammatory properties, so it is beneficial to place a slice of cold potato when we have some swelling, for example, in the eye.
• It is an ingredient rich in antioxidants.
• It brings fiber to our bodies.

A little recommended way to eat is french fries, as this causes them to lose most of their benefits and to become harmful due to the absorption of fat.

Cassava:

It is a woody plant to which its roots are extracted since these are edible. Its shell is hard and inedible, and its pulp is hard before cooking. It can be white or yellowish.

In our kitchen, it used for the preparation of various traditional broths, among them the sancocho, or the potato and yucca broth. It is also processed in some regions to extract the starch or the cassava flour. The benefits that this tuber brings us are the following:

• Protects our bones since one of its components is vitamin K.
• It is low in fat, ideal for those who are on a diet or need to reduce their weight.
• It is an excellent source of protein.
• It usually quenches our appetite.
• It is an excellent source of minerals.
• It is perfect for digestion and regulates us outside and inside, thus freeing us from heavy digestions.

It is a very precious food in our kitchen, and that without a doubt cannot be missing in our typical recipes.

The arracacha:

It is a food plant. Its edible part is the root that can be white, yellow, or purple, depending on the variety. It is appreciated not only for its taste but for its digestibility.

It is an ingredient that serves in Colombian cuisine, usually to thicken our soups or broths and give them a touch of delicious flavor. It used in sancocho, ajiaco, and other soups typical of Colombian regions. The most important benefits of this tuber are:

• It helps us in the treatment of chronic conditions, thanks to its iron content, it also helps in the proper functioning of the circulatory system.
• It is a very healthy tuber during pregnancy.
• Prevents cardiovascular diseases.
• It improves the health of our digestive system and body tissues, thanks to its rich content in vitamin B3.
• Improves mood, thanks to the contribution to vitamin B1.

It is, without a doubt, an ingredient that cannot be missing in our soups or broths.

Ginger:

It is a plant whose underground stem much appreciated due to its aroma and spicy flavor.

In our kitchen, it serves to give an exceptional touch to different dishes, and make them more aromatic, also if what we want is to achieve a particular itch; this is the chosen ingredient. It produces some delightful notes and contributes them to the plate, that yes, it is small amounts, since, if we used too much, we would ruin the dish would be quite spicy. It also used in some smoothies, lemonades, or green juices. The most appreciated benefits of this tuber are:

• Help against nausea, which is why it is ideal to consume ginger as a natural antiemetic, especially in pregnant women.
• It also helps to deal with the difficulties of chemotherapy.
• It is quite recommended for people suffering from digestive problems such as gastritis.
• Help throat conditions, it is very advisable to drink lemonade with good ginger when we have infections or inflammations.
• It helps increase body heat, ideal for those people who maintain a shallow temperature.
• Accelerate metabolism.
• It improves our circulation.
• It helps fight migraines.
• Relax our muscles after having undergone a lot of pressure.
• Avoid congestion.
• Calms menstrual cramps

As you can see, there are quite a few benefits that this ingredient can bring us, and it is a food with a very particular flavor, which gives our meals some exotic touches and aromas.

The beet:

It is the root of an edible, large and fleshy plant, usually red.

In our kitchen, it used to make the famous beet juice in milk, often combined with the taste of carrots, and to make other salads typical of our regions. To this ingredient are added many benefits, among them, are:

• It lowers high blood pressure; this is due to its naturally occurring nitrates, which contribute to the relaxation and dilation of blood vessels, thus improving blood pressure and circulation.
• It improves physical performance.
• Detoxifies the body since it has a pigment known as Betalín, which supports the detoxification process.
• It is a source of fiber and minerals, carrying our body potassium, manganese, vitamin B, among others.
• It has anti-cancer properties.

In our country, it is a trendy ingredient, not only for its benefits but also for the colors and flavors it brings to our dishes.

The radish:

It is the root of a plant. It is edible, fleshy, and rounded; its color is white or red, and its flavor spicy.

In Colombian cuisine, it used to make some soups, juices or salads, giving it a specific spicy but moderate flavor and a slightly exotic color. Among the most recognized benefits of radish are:

• Strengthens our immune system since it is rich in vitamin C.
• It facilitates digestion since this ingredient collaborates so that everything in our body flows naturally.
• It is a diuretic ingredient.
• Fights cardiovascular diseases.
• It helps prevent cancer.
• It is quite recommended for people who have asthma.

Radish is a food widely used in some regions for its many benefits. It can be a replacement for chili or pepper.

Other ingredients:

Meats, fruits, and tubers.

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